Biden faces more criticism about the US-Mexico border, one of his biggest problems heading into 2024

Biden continues to face escalating criticism concerning the US-Mexico border, a pressing issue as he looks ahead to the 2024 elections.

This critique takes the form of an advertisement that seems to be lifted from the GOP’s 2024 playbook, touting a senator’s collaboration with Republicans to combat the influx of fentanyl and illicit drugs into the United States, adopting a firm stance against Chinese interests aiding smugglers, and highlighting the senator’s role in crafting a bill, endorsed by Donald Trump, to bolster funding for the Border Patrol.

However, this isn’t an ad for a GOP candidate; it’s a campaign spot for Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democratic incumbent from Ohio who faces a formidable reelection challenge that could sway Senate control. The ad’s narrator asserts, “Ohioans trust Sherrod Brown to keep us safe,” a sentiment sponsored by the Democrat-aligned Duty and Country PAC. Brown’s campaign has refrained from commenting on the matter.

This narrative underscores the mounting political and security difficulties that the US-Mexico border poses for President Joe Biden. Notably, some Democrats, both locally and nationally, are distancing themselves from the White House, and public opinion polls indicate widespread dissatisfaction with Biden’s approach to immigration and border management, which could jeopardize his reelection prospects in 2024.

In recent developments, the Biden administration has taken actions that some perceive as a shift toward a more conservative stance on immigration. The Department of Homeland Security has waived environmental and other reviews to facilitate the construction of new sections of the border wall in South Texas, despite Biden’s earlier promise not to build “another foot” of the wall. Additionally, the administration has announced the resumption of deportations to Venezuela shortly after extending protected status to thousands of Venezuelan nationals, sparking criticism from both conservatives and liberals. Critics accuse the White House of reneging on its campaign pledges.

Representative Veronica Escobar, a Democrat from Texas who represents the border city of El Paso and serves as a national co-chair of Biden’s reelection campaign, expresses her frustration with the lack of a comprehensive approach to immigration and the inconsistent treatment of individuals from different nationalities. She highlights ongoing legal challenges to the established immigration pathways.

Biden’s team justifies the resumption of border wall construction as a congressional requirement during the previous administration, despite the president’s belief in its ineffectiveness. They also point to Donald Trump’s border policies, such as family separations and the temporary detention of children, as part of a “Make America Great Again” strategy.

The issue of border crossings has garnered significant attention, with conservative media outlets accusing Biden of creating a border crisis. However, criticism extends beyond the conservative camp, as Democratic mayors and governors express their need for more assistance in caring for newly arrived migrants. Republican-led border states have even transported thousands of immigrants to Democratic-led cities, resulting in overcrowded makeshift shelters and camps.

Across the political spectrum, Americans are increasingly concerned about immigration and border security. A recent Marquette Law School poll showed Trump with a substantial lead over Biden in handling immigration and border security issues. This issue has historically been a challenging one for Biden, with disapproval from both Democrats and independents.

Despite these challenges, there is a lack of comprehensive immigration reform legislation from Congress, the last major reform having occurred in 1990. Individuals like Auri Lugo, a Venezuelan residing in North Carolina, appreciate the resumption of deportations but emphasize the need for expediting family-based immigrant visa applications and the humanitarian parole program to provide relief to those in need.

In conclusion, while Biden may have advocated a more moderate approach to immigration during his career, his presidency faces complex challenges and scrutiny on this issue. As the 2024 elections approach, immigration and border security will undoubtedly remain contentious topics that will shape the political landscape.

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More about Border Policies

• Biden’s Border Wall Construction
• Sherrod Brown’s Tough Reelection
• Public Opinion on Biden’s Handling of Immigration
• Challenges in Democratic-Led Cities